The Saints are expected to trade Brandin Cooks by the end of the day, and the Patriots and Titans both remain in contention for the wide receiver, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Eagles aren’t mentioned in Rapoport’s report, and are presumably out on Cooks after signing Torrey Smith earlier today.

The Patriots are thought to be mulling a trade of cornerback Malcolm Butler for Cooks, although the Saints may want even more. A package that includes a defensive contributor plus a draft pick is thought to be the asking price for Cooks. New England has also previously offered its first-round pick (No. 32) for Cooks, but the offer was reportedly rebuffed. At one point, the Titans were thought to be in the lead for Cooks, but it’s unclear exactly what they offered.

In 2016, Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards-per-reception average of 15.0 was a career high and his 66.7% catch rate was a slight step up from his 2015 showing.

ok, i will spell it out for you. idiot #1 (carson) says the saints are high if they think they should get butler and more for cooks. i respond. idiot #2 (you) comes along and doesnt understand what was said.

why shouldnt the saints try to get butler and more in exchange for cooks? the patriots wanted cooks and a pick for #32. why arent they just as “high” for wanting cooks and more for their pick?

But Eric Rowe being your second corner and Cyrus Jones your third makes Butler essential. Butler/Ryan or another starting level corner needs to be signed. Kirkpatrick would’ve been good before he resigned. Don’t know others off the top of my head. Brandon Carr as a depth signing would be nice.